Director, Public Policy Iberia

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Director, Public Policy Iberia

The Director Public Policy, Iberia will be responsible for the day-to-day management and maintenance of the relationships between Mastercard and politicians, regulators, government officials and key third party stakeholders in the Iberia. The responsibility will cover both domestic and EU matters that are of interest for Mastercard.

Will be responsible for the logistical running of the department, managing the day-to-day relationship with consultancy support and other suppliers, while producing thought leadership and strategies for engaging stakeholders across Spain and Portugal. Will also be responsible for maintaining open communication channels with wider Mastercard Public Policy colleagues to ensure consistent messaging and approach to stakeholder management.

The Director Public Policy, Iberia will contribute to the creation and implementation of Mastercard’s Public Policy strategy in his or her areas of responsibility, but also support and be cognizant of the requirements of the multi-rail vision, in which Mastercard offers both cards and account-to-account payment solutions.

Oversight of the Iberia Public Policy department

• Reporting to the Director, Public Policy, Western Europe oversee all public policy activity across the Spanish and Portuguese markets ensuring strategies are aligned with Public Policy, Legal Franchise & Integrity and wider business objectives.
• Support the Spanish and Portuguese Country Managers + Teams in protecting and growing the business and ensure that the Country Management team are regularly briefed and supportive of activity.

Development of policy positions

• Work with other Public Policy colleagues and relevant internal stakeholders across Mastercard to develop proactive and reactive policy positions on a broad range of issues.
• Manage the production of research and drafting of responses to consultations and inquiries, bringing in expertise from across the business as required.
• Manage the production of proactive thought leadership and briefing papers in support of the business.
• Work with trusted third parties to develop thought leadership platforms, where appropriate.

Represent Mastercard amongst the stakeholder community

• Participate in relevant working groups, trade associations and other in Spain and Portugal.
• Represent Mastercard and strengthen relationships with the stakeholder community in Spain and Portugal.

Manage the day-to-day running of the Public Policy team’s external engagement programs

• Identify opportunities for Mastercard to project its views to external stakeholders either through the media, thought leadership, events, targeted engagement programs etc.
• Oversee the development of a comprehensive stakeholder engagement database for the Iberia in co-ordination with consultancy support and the broader Mastercard business.
• Ensure regular briefing notes and records are kept and communicated to internal business areas.

Support the proactive and reactive communication of Mastercard’s views to all external stakeholders

• Responsibility for the organization of public policy events and engagement programs.
• Contribute to the development of high-quality materials and messages for stakeholder engagement.
• Identify further engagement opportunities and support as necessary.
• Preparation of internal briefing materials on policy matters for Mastercard Division President, Country Managers and relevant internal stakeholders in advance of stakeholder meetings.

Support the communication of intelligence, analysis and activity to internal audiences:

• Manage the production of briefings on key political announcements for internal audiences.
• Attend internal briefings and meetings, representing the Public Policy department as required.
• Deliver a relevant and valued monitoring/intelligence service to the business. Ensure monitoring and intelligence is communicated to internal audiences in a timely manner using appropriate mediums.

Manage resources

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with external consultancy service providers. Regularly review services against business requirements, ensuring relevancy and value for money.
• Identify and evaluate new ways of working, including evaluating external service providers.

Knowledge & Experience:

Experience of working in a public policy/public affairs/government relations role either in a consultancy/agency, in house or trade association in a related field.

Knowledge of the political and legislative process in both the EU and Spain & Portugal.

Experience of managing the development of internal positions and responses to external stimuli (e.g. Government policy).

Communication:

Business language skills.

Strong written communication skills and capable of producing high quality written work for different audiences.

Verbal communication

Strong verbal communication, presentation and influencing skills. Comfortable engaging directly with senior internal and external stakeholders. Fluency in Spanish and English (Portuguese is an asset) – oral and written.

Collaborative working style:

Knowledge & Experience:

Experience of working in a public policy/public affairs/government relations role either in a consultancy/agency, in house or trade association in a related field.

Knowledge of the political and legislative process in both the EU and Spain & Portugal.

Experience of managing the development of internal positions and responses to external stimuli (e.g. Government policy).

Communication:

Business language skills.

Strong written communication skills and capable of producing high quality written work for different audiences.

Verbal communication

Strong verbal communication, presentation and influencing skills. Comfortable engaging directly with senior internal and external stakeholders. Fluency in Spanish and English (Portuguese is an asset) – oral and written.

Collaborative working style:

Must be able to work effectively across a matrix organisation, building successful working relationships within the business.

Organizational skills

Capable of handling competing demands on his/her time and delivering tasks to often tight deadlines. Excellent attention to detail.

Desirable:

Experience of working for Government or a regulatory authority (financial services focused or economic regulator).

Knowledge of and experience of public policy issues in the payments or cards market; and/or wider Fintech or banking sectors.

Knowledge of the political and legislative process in Spain and Portugal.

Detailed knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese payment services

Experience of working with or in EU-level or other international political institutions.

Additional language/s (conversational or fluent).

Experience of working in multinational and multicultural environments.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

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